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Show Notes
The other day I caught the tail-end of a livestream. I wasn’t really sure what the conversation was about and didn’t really think much of it. Until I listened to the replay. While listening I learned about a well-known author and personality who had started a Substack and was subsequently basically bullied off the platform within days. In fact, I had noticed grumblings and conversation around this author weeks before but I ignored the conversation because I just didn’t get what people were complaining about and why they were so “in their feelings” I’ve noticed some issues unique to the Substack platform that are expressed in some interesting ways. Today I thought it would be a good day to ask does Substack have a bullying problem? I think you’ll be surprised by my answer.
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Show Notes
Have you ever heard of the Tall Poppy Syndrome? It’s a phenomenom that I first heard of when dating an Australian guy and some how the topic came up. Basically, as he described it, imagine someone who kind got to be a little too big for britches, who was too bragadocious or just was too prideful, people would cut that person down to size so that they were no longer “The Tall Poppy” I think of the song “Humble” by Kendrick Lamar and how I hear it. As other people telling him to shrink himself for others.
The Tall Poppy syndrome on Substack presents itself in a couple of ways:
- Critique of anyone doing things differently on the platform than some people feel like they should be interacting on the platform. This could be livestreaming onto the platform, any sales conversations and don’t get me started on sharing the number of subscribers that someone may have.
- Someone mentioned that the smaller the project the more love it gets but the bigger someone Substack gets the more you’ll see the following: Jealousy, disdain and nitpicky comments.
I’ve often come across comment such as “I hate all of the videos on Substack” or, “I hate those marketing gurus” “That author makes me feel like I’m not good enough” No babe, that’s you and what’s in your head. I often find myself thinking there’s a lot of content that I see on Substack and other platforms that I JUST IGNORE. Because it’s just not worth the energy to type out an unnecessary complaint.
Why aren’t people just focusing on their own work? Why is it that everything has to be a certain way, their way on the platform? It’s so annoying especially because Substack is a platform designed to help creatives (initially writers) elevate, uplift and sell the work that they’re sharing with the world.
It’s scary to do this.
There’s a distinct discomfort in speaking in front of a group, going on a livestream or being on a panel to share what you’ve been up to.
What about that famous author who was run off the platform? I had no idea who this person was or is until now. I’m not the demographic for this person’s work, but it does look interesting. Why were people telling her to enter the space softly, instead of boldly? Why does she or any other person have to shrink themselves in order to make you feel better about yourself and the work that you’re doing?
As a Black woman, it’s a huge turnoff because if you’re telling this white lady she can’t show up in a way that is authentic to her and the success that she’s achieved…I can only imagine and wonder what people may potentially say to me and other creators about how they should show up.
And real talk, every time I see a disparaging comment about another creator’s approach to marketing, selling or pitching their work-I’m turned off by the person who’s made the comment that I won’t consumer their work in the future.
Real talk, I don’t always like what other people are doing on the platform. I don’t always like what I’M doing on the platform. We’re all trying our best. Give us some grace. We will return the favor and give you grace when you’re trying things out and stumble along the way.
Does Substack Have a Bullying Problem?
I think Substack has an imposter syndrome wrapped in tall poppy syndrome problem. Which means that a lot of us need to do some self-work. Being a creative is hard. Being a creative who is trying to share our work with the world is hard. Dealing with critique, judgement and even positive feedback-can be hard. Tearing down other people who are ahead of you is weird. And it’s weird because these creators are forgetting that they are ahead of other people who are on the same creative journey. They may be perceived as experts or examples of success and I think we should be mindful of that.
Let’s lift people up instead of tearing them down. Or, just keep scrolling when you see something that annoys you. What are your thoughts?
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